Virtual optical edge device

ABSTRACT

A framework for virtual network element of optical access networking has been designed to provide a cloud-residing core system (i.e., Mobile core controller or SDN controller) for running higher layers without requiring dedicated hardware at the edge of the network. In this framework, a service operator can create multiple optical access network connections for serving a single or multiple types of wired or wireless subscriber by programming (via software) optical ports of a Virtual Optical Edge Device to perform the desired MAC and/or PHY layer of a selected optical protocol. The Virtual Optical Edge Device in turn performs the desired PHY function or MAC and PHY function of selected protocol per each southbound port. The Virtual Optical Edge Device performs data abstraction function on all data associated with southbound ports and presents the core network a unified API via its northbound ports.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Optical fiber is considered as the medium of choice for deliveringhigh-speed data services. Over time multiple fiber related accesstechnologies have been developed to accommodate various market needs.

Fiber networks are extensively used in Cable Television (CATV) networks,in Fiber to the premises (FTTP) or Fiber to the curb (FTTC) networks, inFixed Wireless Access (FWA) and, used in cellular networks.

Cable television (CATV) systems utilize an architecture called HybridFiber Coax (HFC), as illustrated in FIG. 1 . The HFC architecture relieson a mixture of fiber optic technology and coaxial cable-basedtransmission technology. The cable TV system is comprised of a central,facility called a head-end office 1, where central equipment controllingmuch of the cable system resides. The optical node 5 is coupled to thehead-end office 1 via an IP optical transport fiber 4, coaxial (coax)distribution network 6, and equipment at customer premises 7. Thehead-end office 1 can serve a very large number of customers, often anentire city or a metro area. The head-end office 1 uses fiber opticcables to cover long distances between its location and optical nodelocations. Fiber optic medium is well suited for this portion of thenetwork due to its ability to propagate optical signals across longdistances with small signal power losses. The coax portion of thenetwork generally covers short distances due to its relatively highsignal power losses.

FIG. 2 illustrates additional details pertaining to the variousfunctions involved in the delivery of data, video and voice to CATVcustomers. Virtual Cable Modem Termination System (vCMTS) 201 includesall the higher-level functions of Data Over Cable Service InterfaceSpecification (DOCSIS), including the Medium Access Control (MAC)functions. The vCMTS 201 communicates with Remote physical layer (orPHY) Device (RPD) 207 via optical link 205, using Internet Protocol (IP)packet format. RPD 207 implements the physical layer of the DOCSISprotocol. RPD 207 converts IP type data packets received from vCMTS 201to RF modulated data and transmits the RF data to the connected CableModems (CM) 209 via coaxial plant 208. In the opposite direction, cablemodems 209 transmit burst of RF data toward RPD 207 via the coaxialplant 208, where the RPD 207 converts the RF data bursts to IP packetsformat and transmits the data packets to vCMTS 201 via fiber span 205.

The CATV system as described has several disadvantages. RPD 207 includespower hungry electronics required to transform IP data packets to RFmodulated data. Extending the RF spectrum on the coaxial plant 208 inthe future to achieve additional system capacity gains results in RPD207 devices that will require even more power. Legacy fiber nodes thatare in use were designed with heat dissipation levels that are wellbelow RPD 207 requirements, therefore upgrading legacy system with nodebased RPD would require complete forklifting of the installed fibernodes.

Extending the optical fiber deeper into the network edge reduces oreliminates RF amplifiers which enhances system capacity but at the sametime increases the number of optical nodes substantially. As can beobserved in FIG. 3 , as the number of optical nodes 306 is increased,the number of required RPD devices is also increased, leading toincreased cost and increased power consumption.

Additional limitation of the system as described is lack of support forfiber connected subscribers. Legacy HFC systems rely on Radio Frequencyover Glass (RFoG) technology to connect CATV subscribers directly withfiber which is often used in low-density residential and commercialapplications.

FIG. 4 illustrates a fiber to the premises (FTTx) system utilizingPassive Optical Networking (PON) and Active Optical Networking (AON)techniques. AON systems offer a point-to-point fiber connection betweenthe subscriber and edge of the operator's network. This method offerssimplicity, high throughput, and security. The drawback of this methodis the resulting high number of optical ports in the operator's edge andtherefore limiting the scale of such a system. AON type fiber to thehome (FTTH) systems rely on a centrally located IP switch 407 withpoint-to-point optical connections 409 to each customer premises MediaConverter (MC) 410. The illustrated topology is a logical presentationof the network, were operators often use Wave Division Multiplexing(WDM) to use a single fiber span 409 to service multiple MC 410. ThePassive Optical Network (PON) method includes several variations thathave been introduced over time. In its simplest form, a common opticalline termination (OLT) function is placed in the operator's edge,connecting with multiple subscribers using only a single fiber andpassive optical splitters. In the downstream direction, the OLT 411broadcasts to all connected optical network units (ONUs) 416. In theupstream direction, each ONU send bursts of upstream data. To avoidcollisions between data bursts originating from a number of connectedONUs 416, the OLT 411 provides the ONUs 416 with timing synchronizationand burst timing controls. Other variations of basic PON include the useof DWDM technology, tunable lasers, tunable optical receivers and moreadvance forms of bursting to provide higher throughput. PON providesbetter scaling than the active Ethernet model but it imposes somelimitations, such as reduced downstream throughput, upstream bandwidthinefficiencies related to bursting mechanisms, and some risk of databreach due to its inherent shared medium architecture. Passive OpticalNetworking (PON) are designed to save multiple optical port terminationsat the central OLT 411. ONU devices 416 share a single fiber span 413and rely on a passive optical power splitter 414 for physical connectionto the common OLT 411. Operators have the flexibility to locate theoptical splitter 414 at a central location close to the OLT 411 oralternatively place it deeper in the outside plant near the end users.

FIG. 5 illustrates an enhanced PON system, where the functions of atraditional OLT have been split. A white box OLT 501, featuring multiplePON ports 503, performs all the PON physical layer functions and somelower level MAC functions and communicates with a cloud-based SoftwareDefined Networking (SDN) controller 508 via IP transport 507. The OLTupper layer MAC and management functions are performed in SDN software,hence referred to as virtual OLT. Over time, the Full Service AccessNetwork (FSAN) group and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)have standardized many numbers of PON protocols, including but notlimited to Asynchronous PON (APON), Broadband PON (BPON), Gigabit PON(GPON), Ethernet PON (EPON), 10 Gbit/s Ethernet PON (10G-EPON), DOCSISprovisioning of EPON (DPoE), 10 Gigabit Symmetrical PON (XGS-PON), Timeand Wavelength Division Multiplexed PON (TWDM-PON), andNext-Generation-PON2 (NG-PON2). Each protocol has unique physical layerand MAC layer requirements. Service operators are forced to choose amongthe various PON protocols carefully since each PON version entailsdedicated hardware and dedicated management software implementation.Operators tend to standardize on a single PON protocol for their entirenetwork to save cost but in the process give up flexibility, resultingin an inability to capitalized on new business opportunities.

FIG. 6 illustrates a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) system. The FWA is amethod of connecting a wireless base station to the provider's networkvia fiber, where the base station in turn connects with a single ormultiple subscribers' wireless modems. This method has the potential tosave the cost of trenching fiber to each subscriber, but it has all thelimitations of PON with additional limitations associated with thefrequency availability on the RF spectrum, line of sight relatedlimitations, and security risks. As illustrated in FIG. 6 , Remote Radio(RR) 601 is receiving and transmitting data packets from an IP network603 via fiber link 602. RR 601 also receives control messages andtransmits various status data to the Radio Control 605 via the samefiber link 602. RR 601 establishes a wireless link with wireless modem606, typically installed at the customer premises. Wireless modem 606 inturn converts wireless data destined to/from its customer to/from awired data port 607.

Although the telecommunications industry has standardized many aspectsof the described system, most equipment vendor have added proprietaryfeatures into their equipment, forcing service operators to installremote radio units and radio controllers manufactured by same equipmentvendor. This leads to increased cost and lack of flexibility to adoptnewer or lower cost equipment offered by other industry vendors.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cellular network with multiple Remote Radios (RR)706 that support specific over-the-air, wireless standards, such as 2G,3G, 4G or 5G. Handset 707 and other compatible mobile devices connectwith their nearest RR using RF spectrum allocated by their serviceprovider.

Remote Radio (RR) 706 communicates with Base Band Unit 701 overFronthaul span 705. Remote Radio (RR) 706 may employ multiple protocolsto communicate with BBU 701. Newer RR 706 units that are 4G or 5Gtypically use Enhanced Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI), Radio OverEthernet (RoE), or Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) protocols, whileolder RR 706 units may use an Open Base Station Architecture Initiative(OBSAI) or slower-rate CPRI protocol. Base Band Unit 701 in turncommunicates with mobile Core Network 704 using the Internet Protocol.

The Core Network 704 implements most of the high-level functions of acellular communication network. It is a mix of hardware and softwarethat includes the mobile user related data base, mobility management,session setup and tear down and mobile user authentication and tracking.The Core Network 704 also performs all the required functions to performhandover of a mobile user from one RR 706 unit to the next RR 706 unitas the mobile user travels away from its connected RR 706 and enters theedge of an adjacent cell.

Most installed mobile networks utilize CPRI protocol for fronthaul 705access. Fronthaul access is the optical link between Remote Radio 706units and the BBU 701. Remote Radio 706 units can be installed at remotecell sites that could be up to tens of kilometers away from thecentrally located BBU 701. CPRI is a semi-standard, multi-rate,synchronous protocol. The telecommunications industry has standardizedmany aspects of the CPRI protocol, but most equipment vendors have addedproprietary features into their CPRI protocol implementation, forcingservice operators to install Remote Radio units and Base Band Unitsmanufactured by same equipment vendor. This leads to increased cost andlack of flexibility to adopt newer or lower cost equipment offered byother industry vendors.

The proliferation of mobile networks can partially be attributed to theconstant upgrade of these systems over time, from 2G to 3G to 4G/LTE.Each upgrade resulted in higher network capacity and enablement of newerapplications that were not possible with older and slower systems.Upgrading installed 4G networks to 5G introduces new challenges. 5Grequires much higher density of remote radio sites for coverage of thesame geographical area. 5G delivers the highest capacity when allocatedwith wider RF bandwidth, typically available in higher RF frequencies,referred to as high-band or millimeter wave. However, an area with densefoliage or building fitted with low emissivity glass prevent consistentreception of high-band RF signals by mobile users. To remedy theseshortcomings, mobile operators plan to enable 5G type RR 706 units toperform load balancing and sharing of high-band and 4G spectrum,resulting in seamless experience by 5G enabled mobile users. To achievethis task, mobile operators would require full interoperability betweenthe Core Network and BBU unit with legacy 4G-type RRU and newer 5G-typeRRU. This interoperability currently can be attained by deploying allnetwork components supplied by a single vendor.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is a virtual optical edge device as specified in theindependent claims. Embodiments of the present invention can be freelycombined with each other if they are not mutually exclusive.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a virtual opticaledge device includes: a virtual fiber abstraction component (VFAC)coupled to a northbound port, the northbound port coupled to a networkcontroller over a single-standard application program interface (API);and a set of southbound virtual ports. The set of southbound virtualports includes: a plurality of virtual medium access control (vMAC)resources coupled to the virtual fiber abstraction component; and aplurality of virtual physical layer (vPHY) resources coupled to theplurality of vMAC resources and a plurality of access links coupled to aplurality of optical node units, the plurality of access linksconfigured to perform functions according to a plurality of fiber accessprotocols. A first given southbound virtual port of the set ofsouthbound virtual ports is coupled to a first given access link of theplurality of access links. The first given access link is configured toperform functions according to a first given fiber access protocol ofthe plurality of fiber access protocols. The first given southboundvirtual port includes: a first given vMAC resource of the plurality ofvMAC resources coupled to the VFAC and programmed to perform MAC layerfunctions of the first given fiber access protocol; and a first givenvPHY resource of the plurality of vPHY resources coupled to the firstgiven vMAC and to the given access link. The first given vPHY resourceprogrammed to perform physical layer functions of the first given fiberaccess protocol. A second given southbound virtual port of the set ofsouthbound virtual ports is coupled to a second given access link of theplurality of access links. The second given access link configured toperform functions according to a second given fiber access protocoldifferent from the given fiber access protocol. The second givensouthbound virtual port includes: a second given vMAC resource of theplurality of vMAC resources coupled to the VFAC and programmed toperform MAC layer functions of the second given fiber access protocol;and a second given vPHY resource of the plurality of vPHY resourcescoupled to the second given vMAC and to the second given access link,the second given vPHY resource programmed to perform functions accordingto the second fiber access protocol. The VFAC is programmed to mediatebetween the single-standard API and the given southbound virtual port bytranslating data flow between the first given fiber access protocol andthe network protocol. The VFAC is further programmed to mediate betweenthe second given southbound virtual port and the single-standard API bytranslating data flow between the second given fiber access protocol andthe network protocol.

In one aspect, the set of southbound virtual ports is coupled to a setof remote radios, wherein each southbound virtual port of the set ofsouthbound virtual ports is programmed to perform functions according toa fiber access protocol used by a corresponding remote radio of the setof remote radios.

In another aspect, the single-standard API interfaces with the networkcontroller selected from the group consisting of a physical networkcontroller and a virtual network controller.

In another aspect, the single-standard API interfaces with the networkcontroller selected from the group consisting of: a cable moderntermination system (CMTS); a virtual CMTS; a virtual software definednetworking (SDN) controller; a mobile core controller; a virtual mobilecore controller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 illustrates a cable television (CATV) system utilizing a HybridFiber Coax (HCF) architecture.

FIG. 2 illustrates additional details pertaining to various functionsinvolved in the delivery of data, video and voice to CATV customers.

FIG. 3 illustrates the increase in the number of optical nodes whenoptical fiber is extended deeper, into the network edge.

FIG. 4 illustrates a fiber to the premises (FTTx) system utilizingPassive Optical Networking (PON) and Active Optical Networking (AON)techniques.

FIG. 5 illustrates an enhanced PON system, where the functions of atraditional OLT have been split.

FIG. 6 illustrates a Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) system.

FIG. 7 illustrates a cellular network with multiple Remote Radios (RR).

FIG. 8 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of a system forvirtualizing the optical edge of a fiber-based access network accordingto the invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention for virtualizingthe optical edge of fiber-based access network.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the Virtual Fiber AbstractionComponent according to the invention.

FIG. 11 illustrates a first embodiment of a system for virtualizing theoptical edge of fiber-based access network according to the invention.

FIG. 12 illustrates a second embodiment of a system for virtualizing theoptical edge of fiber-based access network according to the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a processing system for implementing the VOED orother components of the embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skillin the art to make and use the present invention and is provided in thecontext of a patent application and its requirements. Variousmodifications to the embodiment will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art and the generic principles herein may be applied toother embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to belimited to the embodiment shown but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and features described herein.

Reference in this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”,“an exemplary embodiment”, or “a preferred embodiment” means that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of theinvention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in variousplaces in the specification are not necessarily all referring to thesame embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutuallyexclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are describedwhich may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly,various requirements are described which may be requirements for someembodiments but not other embodiments. In general, features described inone embodiment might be suitable for use in other embodiments as wouldbe apparent to those skilled in the art.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

FIGS. 1-13 se the following reference numerals:

-   -   1 Head-End Office    -   2 Cable Modem Termination System Core    -   3 Fiber Span    -   4 IP Optical Transport Fiber    -   5 Optical Node    -   6 Coaxial Distribution Network    -   7 Customer Premises    -   8 Cable Modems    -   9 Computer    -   10 Set Top Box    -   11 Remote PHY Device    -   20 Fiber Deep Network    -   201 Virtual Cable Modem Termination System    -   202 Fiber Span    -   203 Cable Modem Termination System Core    -   205 Optical Link    -   206 Fiber Node    -   207 Remote PHY Device    -   208 Coaxial Plant    -   209 Cable Modems    -   306 Optical Nodes    -   307 Coax Distribution Network    -   402 Fiber Span    -   405 Fiber Spans    -   407 IP Switch    -   408 Fiber Span    -   409 Optical connection    -   410 Media Converters    -   411 Optical Line Termination    -   413 Single Fiber Span    -   414 Optical Splitter    -   416 Optical Node Units    -   501 White Box Optical Line Termination    -   502 Fiber Span    -   503 Passive Optical Network Ports    -   504 Passive Optical Power Splitter    -   505 Fiber Spans    -   506 Optical Node Units    -   507 IP Transport    -   508 Software Defined Networking Controller    -   601 Remote Radio    -   602 Fiber Link    -   603 IP Transport Network    -   604 Data Center    -   605 Radio Control    -   606 Wireless Modern    -   607 Wired Data Port    -   701 Base Band Unit    -   702 Backhaul Span    -   703 IP Transport Network    -   704 Core Network    -   705 Fronthaul Span    -   706 Remote Radios    -   707 Handset    -   801 Virtual Fiber Abstraction Component    -   802 Virtual Medium Access Control Resources    -   803 Virtual Physical Layer Resources    -   804 Transceivers    -   805 Access Links    -   806 Optical Span    -   807 Network Controller    -   808 Virtual Optical Edge Device    -   809 Virtual Ports    -   902 Virtual Medium Access Control Resources    -   903 Virtual Physical Layer Resources    -   904 Southbound Physical Ports    -   906 Virtual Physical Layer Resource    -   908 Virtual Optical Edge Device    -   1002 Northbound Adapter    -   1003 Northbound Adapter    -   1004 xPON Adapter    -   1005 Active-Ethernet Adapter    -   1006 DOCSIS Adapter    -   1007 RRH Adapter    -   1008 Common Control & Management Component    -   1009 Northbound Link to vCMTS Core    -   1010 Northbound Link to SDN Controller    -   1011 Southbound Virtual MAC/PHY Port    -   1012 Southbound Virtual MAC/PHY Port    -   1013 Southbound Virtual MAC/PHY Port    -   1014 Southbound Virtual MAC/PHY Port    -   1101 Virtual Optical Edge Device    -   1102 XGS-PON Operation    -   1103 Southbound Port    -   1104 1:n Splitter    -   1105 Fiber Spans    -   1106 Optical Node Units    -   1107 GPON Operation    -   1108 Southbound Port    -   1109 1:n Splitter    -   1110 Fiber Spans    -   1111 Optical Node Units    -   1112 10G-EPON Operation    -   1113 Southbound Port    -   1114 1:n Splitter    -   1115 Fiber Spans    -   1116 Optical Node Units    -   1117 Northbound Port    -   1119 Fiber Span    -   1201 Virtual Optical Edge Device    -   1202 Southbound Port    -   1203 Southbound Port    -   1204 Southbound Port    -   1205 Southbound Port    -   1206 Remote Radio    -   1207 Remote Radio    -   1208 Remote Radio    -   1209 Remote Radio    -   1210 Devices    -   1211 Northbound Pori    -   1212 Network Controller    -   1213 Fiber Span    -   1300 Computer System    -   1301 Memory    -   1302 RAM    -   1303 Cache    -   1304 Storage    -   1305 Program Code    -   1306 Processor    -   1307 I/O Interface(s)    -   1308 Network Adapter    -   1309 Bus    -   1310 Display    -   1311 External Device(s)

FIG. 8 illustrates a first exemplary embodiment of a system forvirtualizing the optical edge of a fiber-based access network accordingto the invention. Virtual Optical Edge Device (VOED) 808 replaces thetraditional access function of the network. VOED 808 provides a unifiedor single-standard northbound API to network controller 807 and handlesthe access technology/protocol specific controls and monitoring of eachof a set of virtualized southbound ports. The VOED 808 enables thenetwork controller 807 to use an API operating under a single protocolor standard to provision, control, monitor, and manage data traffic ofVOED's southbound virtual ports operating under a plurality of accesstechnologies or protocols, without requiring the network controller 807to have knowledge of the protocols under which the southbound virtualports are operating. The network controller 807 also switches and routesdata from the Internet. The system comprises a network controller 807coupled to the Virtual Optical Edge Device (VOED) 808 via optical span806 using the IP protocol. In one embodiment of the invention, thenetwork controller 807 is a collection of physical hardware and softwarecomponents. In another embodiment of this invention, the networkcontroller 807 is virtualized cloud-based software, such as SoftwareDefined Networking (SDN), virtual Cable Termination System (vCMTS), orcellular network core. VOED 808 has a single or a plurality of accesslink 805, where each access link 805 has the flexibility of adhering tovariety of industry standards and non-standard access protocols by wayof programming its associated virtual port 809 resources. Theprogramming of the virtual ports 809 allows each access link 805 tooperate at different bit rates and different access protocols used incable-TV applications, in fiber to the premises applications in fixedwireless access (FWA) applications and in cellular applications. Theseprotocols include, but not limited to, DOCSIS, broadband digital return(DDR), Radio frequency over glass (RFoG), active ethernet, APON, BPON,GPON, EPON, 10G-EPON, DPoE, XGS-PON, TWDM-PON, NG-PON2, eCPRI, RoE, CPRIor OBSAI. In one embodiment of this invention, transceiver (TRCVR) 804is a multi-rate Optical to Electrical (O/E) and Electrical to Optical(E/O) converter. In another embodiment of this invention, TRCVR 804 is apluggable E/O & O/E converter that can be chosen to support the desiredprotocol and desired bit rate. Virtual port 809 comprises virtualPhysical Layer (vPHY) resources 803 and virtual Medium Access Control(vMAC) resources 802. Each vPHY and vMAC include programmable hardwareand/or software component, where each vPHY and vMAC can be programmed toperform the desired physical layer and the MAC layer functions,respectively, of a chosen protocol. Different sets of associated vMAC802 and vPHY 803 can be programmed according to different accessprotocols independently of other sets of associated vMACs 802 and vPHYs803. This enables different access links 805 to operate differentspecifically chosen protocol and bit rates independently of theconfiguration of each other. Each vMAC 802 is isolated from the othervMAC's. Virtual Fiber Abstraction Component (VFAC) 801 bridges thevirtual port 809 with the network controller 807. Existing communicationsystems tightly couple subscriber data and communication channelcontrols. These two important data types are carried over the samecommunication channel, resulting in a tightly integrated system whereevery element in the network has been specifically designed toaccommodate each access technology specific controls. In contrast, theVFAC 801 segregates the data plane from the control & management plane,and presents a unified Application Program Interface (API) to thenetwork controller 807 on it northbound interface while performing allthe protocol specific monitoring, control and management function ofdesired access protocol on the southbound links, as described furtherbelow with reference to FIG. 10 .

FIG. 9 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention for virtualizingthe optical edge of fiber-based access network, where the maincomponents of VOED 908 are shown. A pool of virtual Physical Layerresources 903 and pool of virtual Medium Access Control resources 902are arranged in a structure that allows flexible association of one ormore of these resources to a specific southbound physical port 904 (oneof transceivers TRCVR-1 through TRCVR-n+1). Furthermore, these virtualMAC/PHY resources are programmed to perform their respective functionsaccording to a specific access technology/protocol. The Virtual FiberAbstraction Component (VFAC) 801 performs the specific accesstechnology/protocol related provisioning, controls, monitoring, dataflow management for access links 805 and for the API used to interfacewith the network controller 807. The VFAC 801 thus “isolates” or shieldsthe network controller 807 from the specific access protocol relatedfunctions for the access links 805, as described further below.

The programmable components of the invention include programmablehardware, software, or a combination of programmable hardware andsoftware. For example, and without limitation, the programmable hardwareand/or software may include field-programmable field arrays (FPGAs).Other types of hardware and/or software components may be used toimplement the programmable components of the invention without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. The programming of thecomponents can be implemented by a processing system, described furtherbelow with reference to FIG. 13 . In one embodiment, the executableinstructions for the configuration of the programmable components aredownloaded from a remote source.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of the Virtual Fiber AbstractionComponent 801 according to the invention. A plurality ofprotocol-specific adapters (1004, 1005, 1006, 1007) are used to mediatebetween the common control & management component (CCMC) 1008 and therespective southbound virtual MAC/PHY ports 1011-1014. This mediationcontains protocol specific control and management details in theassociated adapter. This ultimately shields the network controller 807from access protocol specific details, thereby simplifying the interfacewith the southbound virtual MAC/PHY ports 1011-1014 from the perspectiveof the network controller 807. The same network controller 807 is thusable to support a broader range of access technologies and protocols.

The Common Control & Management Component (CCMC) 1008 performs themediation between northbound adapters (1002, 1003) and southboundadapters (1004, 1005, 1006, 1007). The CCMC 1008 contains logicalupstream and downstream data flow profile registers per each deviceresiding on its southbound ports. These registers are tabulated by datareceived from the northbound adapters (1002, 1003). The CCMC 1008 inturn translates the data flow profiles into specific access technologycontrol and management data that is passed to the relevant southboundadapter (1004, 1005, 1006, 1007).

As an example, the CCMC 1008 receives logical upstream and downstreamdata flow from its northbound adapter (1002, 1003), stores this data inits data flow registers associated with a particular xPON ONU,translates these flow data to a set of xPON specific flow and managementregisters that are passed on to southbound xPON adapter 1004, wherethese data is used to set xPON OLT specific flow and managementparameters, such as DBA, ONU registration, LLID and other xPON specificsettings. xPON adapter 1004 handles static and dynamic virtual OLTinitialization and configuration, fault management, performancemanagement, security management, ONU registration & ONU provisioning,DBA parameter setting, ONU ranging and ONU discovery, ONUauthentication, and ONU connection management. This process results inthe treatment of connected ONU devices by the network controller 807 asa collection of standard Ethernet ports. The net result of the processas described are containment of access protocol specific complexitieslocally to the VOED 808/908, while streamlining and simplifying thenetwork controller monitoring, management and control tasks.

In cases were the network controller 807 is a vCMTS type, northboundadapter 1002 receives data from the CCMC 1008 destined for the vCMTS,encapsulates the data in L2TP packets according to DOCSIS DEPTspecifications, and transmits the encapsulated data to the vCMTS vianorthbound link 1009. In the reverse direction, L2TP encapsulated datathat conforms to DOCSIS UEPI specifications is received from the vCMTSby the northbound adapter 1002, The northbound adapter 1002 extracts thepayload data and sends the payload data to the CCMC 1008. Northboundadapter 1002 also extract timing information from its northbound link1009 and synchronizes the rest of the system to the vCMTS clock. TheCCMC 1008 includes time stamping and other timing mechanisms asspecified by DOCSIS 3.1 Remote-PHY specifications. vCMTS core is notlimited to interwork only with DOCSIS adapter 1006, and the unifiednorthbound API as described allows the vCMTS core to interwork with someor all southbound adapters (1004, 1005, 1006, 1007).

In cases were the network controller 807 is a SDN type controller,northbound adapter 1003 receives data from the CCMC 1008 destined forSDN controller, encapsulates the data in IP packets with VLAN ID tagsthat identify the originating southbound interface name, ID and portnumber, and transmits the resulting packets to the SDN controller. Inthe reverse direction, data packets are received from the SDNcontroller, which includes management, control, and data payload. Themanagement and control data are extracted by the northbound adapter 1003and sent to the CCMC 1008 to be stored in its logical upstream anddownstream data flow profile registers of a connected device residing ona southbound optical access link, whose address is derived from the VLANID tag send by the SDN controller. The payload packets are treated in asimilar fashion, passed to the CCMC 1008 internal registers that areassigned to the payload data.

Referring to both FIGS. 9 and 10 , in some applications such asRemote-PHY, it is advantageous to share MAC resources across multiplePHYs resources as illustrated in FIG. 9 , where a system with multiplevPHY resources 906 can be directly coupled to the VFAC 801 and interworkwith the vCMTS 1009 (FIG. 10 ) that contains the DOCSIS MAC. Accordingto this embodiment, the corresponding southbound DOCSIS adapter 1006(FIG. 10 ) mediate between the CCMC 1008 and the respective southboundvirtual DOCSIS vPHY ports 1006. This mediation contains DOCSIS specificcontrol and management details in the associated adapter. Thisultimately shields the vCMTS 1009 from DOCSIS specific PHY details,thereby simplifying the interface with the southbound virtual PHY ports1006 from the perspective of the vCMTS 1009. The same vCMTS is thus ableto support a broader range of southbound adapters 1006, where someadapters are associated with a DOCSIS vMAC & vPHY resources and otherDOCSIS adapters 1006 are associated with only a DOCSIS vPHY resource.The functions of CCMC 1008 remains similar to earlier descriptions,where it receives logical upstream and downstream data flow from itsnorthbound adapter 1002 and stores this data in its data flow registersassociated with a particular southbound DOCSIS adapter 1006. This datais used to set DOCSIS specific forward and reverse physical layerparameters such as timing & synchronization, upstream & downstreamchannel settings, upstream bandwidth allocations, cable modem rangingparameters and cable modem service request parameter settings. In thisembodiment, VFAC 801 in conjunction with vPHY 906 or vPHY/VMAC 903/904,provide a level of abstraction via a unified or single-standardnorthbound API to the network controller 807.

FIG. 11 illustrates a first embodiment of a system for virtualizing theoptical edge of fiber-based access network according to the invention.The VOED's 1101 southbound ports (1103, 1108, 1113) are programmed toperform a specific PON protocol independently of each other, while theVOED 1101 presents a uniform and single-standard API to the networkcontroller 807 through its northbound port 1117. In this example,southbound port 1103 is programmed for XGS-PON operation, southboundport 1108 is programmed for GPON operation, and southbound port 1113 isprogrammed for 10G-EPON operation. The invention as described hasseveral advantages over existing systems. The VOED 1101 can be deployedinitially with one type of PON protocol, and over time, as customerdemand and requirements changed, the VOED southbound ports (1103, 1108,1113) can be reprogrammed to perform a different version of the PONprotocol to meet the new demand, without requiring any changes to theVOED 1101. A second advantage of the VOED 1101 is the flexibility toprogram the southbound ports (1103, 1108, 1113) to perform different PONprotocols to accommodate different types of customers from a single VOED1101. Service operators can program one set of southbound ports toperform one type of PON protocol, for example XGS-GPON, to supportbusiness customers, while programming another set of southbound ports toperform a different type of PON protocol, for example 10G-EPON protocol,to support residential customers.

FIG. 12 illustrates a second embodiment of a system for virtualizing theoptical edge of fiber-based access network according to the invention.The VOED's 1201 southbound ports are programmed to perform semi-customaccess protocols that are used for connection with remote radios. Asemi-custom protocol contains requirements of a standard protocol withproprietary functions added. Remote Radio 1206 in this example is a 3Gdevice made by vendor-A with its semi-custom 1G CPRI optical link 1202.Remote Radio 1207 in this example is a 4G device made by vendor-B withits semi-custom 4G CPRI optical link 1203. Remote Radio 1208 in thisexample is a 4G device made by vendor-C with Radio over Ethernet (RoE)optical link 1204. Remote Radio 1209 in this example is a 5G device madeby vendor-D with eCPRI optical link 1205. Each southbound port of theVOED 1201 is programmed to match the protocol used by its correspondingremote radio. Southbound port 1202 is programmed to match vendor Asemicustom 1G CPRI protocol, southbound port 1203 is programmed to matchvendor B 4G CPRI protocol, southbound port 1204 is programmed to matchvendor C RoE protocol, and southbound 1205 is programmed to match vendorD eCPRI protocol. VOED 1201 processes the data from the varioussouthbound ports and presents a uniform API to network controller 1212through its northbound port 1211. The invention as described has severaladvantages over existing systems. The VOED 1201 enables mobile serviceoperators to use a mix of remote radios made by different vendors in asingle mobile network, with each remote radio having a semi-customprotocol. Additional advantage of this invention is spectrum sharingacross different generations of wireless systems. Instead of operatorssharing 5G and 4G spectrum only if all deployed remote radios are madeby a single vendor, the invention enables mobile operators to deploy arich mix of remote radio equipment, thus enabling the full integrationof 4G and 5G networks. 5G remote radios from one vendor are able toshare 4G RF spectrum with 4G remote radios from a different vendor sinceboth radio types are controlled by a single network controller 1212.

FIG. 13 illustrates a processing system for implementing the \TOED orother components of the embodiments of the invention. The processingsystem 1300 is operationally coupled to a processor or processing units1306, a memory 1301, and a bus 1309 that couples various systemcomponents, including the memory 1301 to the processor 1306. The bus1309 represents one or more of any of several types of bus structure,including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, anaccelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of avariety of bus architectures. The memory 1301 may include computerreadable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random accessmemory (RAM) 1302 or cache memory 1303, or non-volatile storage media1304. The memory 1301 may include at least one program product having aset of at least one program code module 1305 that are configured tocarry out the functions of embodiment of the present, invention whenexecuted by the processor 1306. The computer system 1300 may alsocommunicate with one or more external devices 1311, such as a display1310, via I/O interfaces 1307.

The present invention can take the form of an entirely hardwareembodiment, an entirely software embodiment or an embodiment containingboth hardware and software elements. In a preferred embodiment, thepresent invention is implemented in software, which includes but is notlimited to firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.

Furthermore, the present invention can take the form of a computerprogram product accessible from a computer usable or computer readablestorage medium providing program code for use by or in connection with acomputer or any instruction execution system. For the purposes of thisdescription, a computer usable or computer readable storage medium canbe any apparatus that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, ortransport the program for use by or in connection with the instructionexecution system, apparatus, or device. The medium can be an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system(or apparatus or device) or a propagation medium. Examples of acomputer-readable medium include a semiconductor or solid state memory,magnetic tape, a removable computer diskette, a random access memory(RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), a rigid magnetic disk and an opticaldisk. Current examples of optical disks include compact disk-read onlymemory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W) and DVD. A computerreadable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as beingtransitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

A data processing system suitable for storing and/or executing programcode will include at least one processor coupled directly or indirectlyto memory elements through a system bus. The memory elements can includelocal memory employed during actual execution of the program code, bulkstorage, and cache memories which provide temporary storage of at leastsome program code in order to reduce the number of times code must beretrieved from bulk storage during execution.

Input/output or I/O devices (including but not limited to keyboards,displays, point devices, etc.) can be coupled to the system eitherdirectly or through intervening I/O controllers.

Network adapters may also be coupled to the system to enable the dataprocessing system to become coupled to other data processing systems orremote printers or storage devices through intervening private or publicnetworks. Modems, cable modem and Ethernet cards are just a few of thecurrently available types of network adapters.

Although the present invention has been described in accordance with theembodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readilyrecognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and thosevariations would be within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one ofordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A virtual optical edge device, comprising: avirtual fiber abstraction component (VFAC) coupled to a northbound port,the northbound port coupled to a network controller over asingle-standard application program interface (API) configured with anetwork protocol; a set of southbound virtual ports, comprising: aplurality of virtual medium access control (vMAC) resources coupled tothe virtual fiber abstraction component; and a plurality of virtualphysical layer (vPHY) resources coupled to the plurality of vMACresources and a plurality of access links coupled to a plurality ofoptical ports, the plurality of access links configured to performfunctions according to a plurality of fiber access protocols, wherein afirst given southbound virtual port of the set of southbound virtualports is coupled to a first given access link of the plurality of accesslinks, the first given access link configured to perform functionsaccording to a first given fiber access protocol of the plurality offiber access protocols, wherein the first given southbound virtual portcomprises: a first given vMAC resource of the plurality of vMACresources coupled to the VFAC and programmed to perform MAC layerfunctions of the first given fiber access protocol; and a first givenvPHY resource of the plurality of vPHY resources coupled to the firstgiven vMAC and to the first given access link, the first given vPHYresource programmed to perform physical layer functions of the firstgiven fiber access protocol, wherein a second given southbound virtualport of the set of southbound virtual ports is coupled to a second givenaccess link of the plurality of access links, the second given accesslink configured to perform functions according to a second given fiberaccess protocol different from the given fiber access protocol, whereinthe second given southbound virtual port comprises: a second given vMACresource of the plurality of vMAC resources coupled to the VFAC andprogrammed to perform MAC layer functions of the second given fiberaccess protocol; and a second given vPHY resource of the plurality ofvPHY resources coupled to the second given vMAC and to the second givenaccess link, the second given vPHY resource programmed to performfunctions according to the second fiber access protocol, wherein theVFAC is programmed to mediate between the single-standard API and thegiven southbound virtual port by translating data flow between the firstgiven fiber access protocol and the network protocol, wherein the VFACis further programmed to mediate between the second given southboundvirtual port and the single-standard API by translating data flowbetween the second given fiber access protocol and the network protocol.2. The device of claim 1, wherein the set of southbound virtual ports iscoupled to a set of remote radios, wherein each southbound virtual portof the set of southbound virtual ports is programmed to performfunctions according to a fiber access, protocol used by a correspondingremote radio of the set of remote radios.
 3. The device of claim 1,wherein the single-standard API interfaces with the network controllerselected from the group consisting of a physical network controller anda virtual network controller.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein thesingle-standard API interfaces with the network controller selected fromthe group consisting of a cable modem termination system (CMTS); avirtual CMTS; a virtual software defined networking (SDN) controller; amobile core controller; a virtual mobile core controller.